A landmark decision has been made in favor of American victims of violence in Israel, with an appeals court reinstating a substantial $656 million judgment against Palestinian authorities. This comes after a prior ruling was overturned, which had dismissed the case against the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority.
Originally, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had discarded the verdict, citing that U.S. courts lacked jurisdiction over foreign entities for incidents not directly targeting the United States. However, this stance changed following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last June. The ruling backed a 2019 legislative move by Congress, facilitating the continuation of lawsuits against these Palestinian organizations. More details can be found in this Supreme Court ruling.
Legal Victory for Plaintiffs
In a decision dated March 30, the appeals judges stated, “We conclude that the original judgment for the plaintiffs should be reinstated. That conclusion is consistent with the plain import of the Supreme Court’s decision.”
Kent Yalowitz, an attorney for the plaintiffs, expressed relief on behalf of the families involved, emphasizing the prolonged wait for justice. “Our client families are very relieved that the court has reinstated the judgment without requiring a new trial. They have been waiting for a very long time for justice to be done,” Yalowitz noted in an email.
Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, another lawyer representing the plaintiffs, also welcomed the court’s decision, acknowledging the lengthy 22-year legal battle.
Background of the Case
The case derives from the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1992, which opened American courtrooms to victims of international terrorism. The plaintiffs allege that Palestinian operatives were either directly involved in the attacks or incited them.
The Palestinian authorities have consistently contested the admissibility of such cases in U.S. courts. Requests for comments were sent to the defendants’ legal representatives, but responses were pending as of Sunday.
